Game Of Box Offices: “The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part” assembles a win but fails to impress

When a film is projected to earn $55 million and only comes up with $34.1 million, that is considered a failure. “The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part” was the winner of the weekend, but celebrations were halted when the numbers failed against expectations. Fellow newcomer “What Men Want” also underperformed, earning $18.2 million on a projection of $24 million. Even newcomer “Cold Pursuit” came in slightly below its $12 million projection, with a debut of $11 million. Considering the backlash on star Liam Neeson at the moment, I’d say Lionsgate is lucky to have gotten that close. The only debut that actually hit its projection was the thriller “The Prodigy,” which grabbed $5.8 million, up a thousand from its projection. The Chinese science fiction film “The Wandering Earth” was the surprise entry on the List this weekend, landing at Number 13 and earning $1.6 million. Its average of $26,333 per 64 theaters was enough to earn it the POPCORN AWARD. And, with the Academy Awards just around the corner, the Oscar-nominated Shorts made a place on the List at Number 17, making just under $1 million.

Another big story this weekend was that no film within the Top 25 increased percentage-wise, meaning there was no GOLDEN PERCENTAGE AWARD to be given. The only film to move up the List was “Cold War,” but even that had a percentage decrease of -0.9%. Outside the List, it was the Oscar-nominated foreign film “Never Look Away” that took the award, with an increase of +102.4%. Across the List, eight films took a five or more spot decrease, including “Miss Bala,” which debuted last weekend, as well as “The King Who Would Be King” and “Mary Poppins Returns,” which were two spots away from a BOMB. Dropping off the List, as expected, was “Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga,” which had a surprise debit last weekend. Also, the expectation that either “Stan & Ollie” or “Dragon Ball Super: Broly” would fall off, resulted in both films taking the final dive, with “Cold War” moving up rather than falling off. “Free Solo” ended its reemergence on the List while “Ralph Breaks The Internet” concluded its twelve-week run and the Matthew McCaughney/Anne Hathaway bomb “Serenity” ended its three-week run, already aiming to lose $16 million.

With a smaller than expected debut, one has to wonder if “The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part” will be able to hold onto the Crown next weekend. Anything close to a 50% drop would put it in second, third, or even fourth place, with a slew of new releases coming to theaters. The Blumhouse sequel “Happy Death Day 2U” looks to debut with $20 million and the best chance at a Number One finish. The long delayed Robert Rodriguez film “Alita: Battle Angel” looks to debut around $17 million. And the Rebel Wilson comedy “Isn’t It Romantic” aims for a $15 million opening. It seems as though the Dwayne Johnson produced/Stephen Merchant directed “Fighting With My Family” aims to release a week early and could see an $8 million opening, putting that in the Top Five as well, especially with the decent reviews its been garnering. The four films could put the bottom of the List on notice. “The Mule,” which finished at Number 25 is the likeliest to fall off, along with Number 24, which was “On The Basis Of Sex.” Unless “Cold War” can continue its recent uptick, I would also imagine that would be falling off the List as well. And after an almost BOMB this past weekend, “Mary Poppins Returns” could be the last victim in making room for the newcomers.